Marquis Anning returned to the main courtyard in a daze.

Lady Ding went out to greet him, “My lord, where have you been? I received word a long time ago that you had returned to the manor, but the servants just said they can’t find you anywhere.”

After a long while, Marquis Anning finally came to his senses and gave Lady Ding a deep look. "I went to the training ground."

"Huh?" Ding was surprised, because usually when the Marquis came back, he would rest on the first day and only occasionally go to the training ground on the second day.

Marquis Anning plopped down in a chair, sighed, and seemed to be deep in thought.

Lady Ding panicked, fearing that the Marquis would get angrier and retaliate against the heir, so she hurriedly said, "I have good news to tell the Marquis."

"What news?" Marquis Anning asked casually, but his mind was still filled with images of Bai Qingzhou practicing martial arts.

When her son was mentioned, Ding's eyes lit up with joy. "Qingzhou got the top score in the county examination! The Minister of Rites told him himself!"

"What?" Marquis Anning exclaimed in surprise, "The top scholar in the county? This... you can't be mistaken, can you?"

Ding's smile immediately faded. "Does the Marquis think our Qingzhou is so insignificant? All these years, has the Marquis never given Qingzhou the slightest thought?"

He even sounded like he was about to cry when he finished speaking.

Marquis Anning froze on the spot, then stammered, "No...it's impossible...it's not..."

Being an honest military officer, he couldn't bring himself to lie to his wife for a moment.

Marquis Anning recalled his son's impressive martial arts skills and how he had become the top scholar in the county examination. He finally sighed and lowered his eyes, "It was my fault before. I... I'm sorry to Qingzhou, and... I'm sorry to you."

Since his injury, his wife has been living a life of widowhood.

He felt both guilty and distressed.

Ding composed herself and forced a smile. "My lord, I believe that what's past is past, and our family has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel. If we can't be military officers, we can be civil officials. Besides, we live in a peaceful and prosperous world; there aren't that many wars to fight."

"A peaceful and prosperous world?" Marquis Anning chuckled and shook his head helplessly. "This world is not as peaceful as you think. It's just that the capital and the surrounding areas are heavily guarded, which barely maintains peace."

Ding was startled. "What? There's going to be a war?"

In the past, Marquis Anning would not discuss these things with his wife, because he believed that she was simple-minded and naive, and that she would not understand even if he explained them to her.

But today, because of his only son, he realized that he had underestimated his family before, and that his family was not as bad as he thought.

So today, for the first time ever, he patiently told his wife, "It's true that things aren't peaceful on the border. Some people have rebelled, but fortunately, it's still under control and shouldn't cause any major trouble."

"Why? Everything was fine!" Mrs. Ding was shocked.

Marquis Anning struggled for a moment, then whispered, in a voice only the two of them could hear, "In recent years, the Emperor has trusted treacherous officials and has become increasingly indulgent in pleasure and debauchery. In the court, those treacherous officials have also begun to form cliques and factions for personal gain. It may seem peaceful on the surface, but it's very chaotic in private."

Ding was stunned.

Marquis Anning sighed, "So, it seems that Qingzhou not becoming a military officer has its advantages. This matter concerns the court, so you must not tell anyone, especially not your family."

It wasn't that Ding's family was particularly bad, but rather that they weren't officials in the court, so it wouldn't be appropriate for them to speak out.

Madam Ding nodded hurriedly, "My lord, please rest assured, I have never disobeyed any of the things you have instructed me to do."

Marquis Anning also knew that his wife was always obedient.

The two were silent for a while. After hesitating for a long time, Madam Ding asked cautiously, "My lord, what brings you back this time?"

Marquis Anning raised his eyes and looked out the door. The courtyard was peaceful and serene. He sighed and said, "It's nothing. I just came back to take care of a small matter. I'll leave tomorrow."

Ding was overjoyed—wasn't it because of the farce at the Minister's residence? That's wonderful.

But at the same time, she was also worried—the whole city knew about that incident, and the Marquis would find out sooner or later.

Finally, gritting his teeth, he said, "My lord, actually... at the party hosted by the Minister's wife, our family... caused trouble..."

Marquis Anning nodded. “I’ve heard about it. Let bygones be bygones. The Shen family has no manners. You should teach them more often. No one is born knowing those rules. Once you’ve taught them, that’s enough.”

Madam Ding was stunned, even wondering—was this really their Marquis? Or was he an imposter? Why was he so different from usual?

Logically, the Marquis should have been furious, arrested everyone, and given them a dressing down. Even if he didn't punish Shen Shi personally, he would have taken his anger out on Qingzhou. Why did he let them off so easily today? Is this the kind of magnanimous Marquis she admires?

Seeing that Lady Ding was terrified, Marquis Anning coughed awkwardly twice, "Before... I was indeed too... harsh on you, in the future... I will try to be better..."

Ms. Ding nearly fainted on the spot.

An Ninghou's face flushed slightly. He picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Alright, you go about your business. I'm going out for a bit and might be back very late."

"Yes, Lord Marquis." Madam Ding dared not ask any further questions.

Marquis Anning had just stood up when, as if remembering something, he hesitated for a moment and said, "I'll go see Minister Zhong to thank him for helping Qingzhou and also to apologize for the farce at the gathering."

Ding stammered, "Ah...this...Your Excellency, you don't need to inform me..."

Marquis Anning pursed his resolute lips. "I'm telling you this so you won't overthink things." With that, he awkwardly strode away.

No sooner had the Marquis of Anning left than Lady Ding finally succumbed to her injuries, her vision went black, and she fainted.

...

After finishing their martial arts practice, Chen Mianmian and Bai Qingzhou returned to Mingyue Courtyard.

The two changed their clothes and chatted while resting and sweating.

Bai Qingzhou smiled at the woman, his voice gentle, "Are you tired today? You might feel sore when you get up tomorrow, so be prepared. You can have a servant massage you this afternoon, which should help relieve the pain."

Chen Mianmian was in high spirits as she practiced martial arts for the first time. "Your Highness hasn't practiced in a long time. Will it hurt tomorrow? Shall I massage it for you tonight?"

Bai Qingzhou was eager to try, but still politely declined, "No need, you must be tired after practicing all day. I'll have Guanshui help you."

"How can that be? The young master has worked so hard to teach me, and I won't even give him a massage? That's not fair. It's settled then. The young master will go back to Qingfeng Courtyard to study later, and when he comes back in the evening, I will give him a massage."

"Okay, sure." Bai Qingzhou was secretly pleased and began to think—since Mianmian was giving him a massage, he should reciprocate in some way. He would send Guanshui to buy some small women's items as a gift.

After coaxing Bai Fengchu, Chen Mianmian withdrew her gaze and began to think about whether she should tell Fengchu about Marquis Anning's observation of the two practicing martial arts today.

But then I thought—it's better not to tell them proactively.

Although she didn't know how Marquis Anning had persecuted Fengchu before, she could tell that Fengchu had psychological trauma, so she shouldn't provoke him for the time being.

Thinking about it, she sighed—May God help her, that filthy Marquis Anning, have some good karma! Fengchu has just recovered, he shouldn't come and provoke her. She'd be grateful to his ancestors for eight generations!